The proportion and utilisation of formal kinship and network care in Norway and Denmark: a comparative study

In the past decades, the implementation of regulations and legislation, \nwhich encourage the use of formal kinship and network care, has taken \nplace in many countries. Yet, the proportion seems to vary greatly, also \nbetween countries often regarded as similar. Denmark and Norway are \nexamples of this. In 2021, 33% of children in care lived in kinship and \nnetwork care compared to 13% in Denmark. The aim of this paper is to \nget a better understanding of these differences. For this paper, we have \ndelved into the historical development of CWS in both countries, with \nparticular attention to the last 20 years. The factors suggested as \npossible reasons for differences in the proportion and utilisation of \nkinship and network care in Denmark and Norway, relate mainly to \nthree overlapping levels: policy and values, organisational structures \nand case management. Possible implications and limitations are \ndiscussed.